A portion of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani's daily journal from September 13, 2003.

Messrs. Manteghi and Daneshi from Iran Khodro came [to visit]. They explained the quantitative and qualitative growth of automobile production and the future plan to phase out the Paykan and introduce advanced vehicles into the production line, and stated: With the Leader's opposition, the import of foreign cars is currently ruled out.

Postscript: I wrote about this more than two years ago, and now you are reading it in Akbar Hashemi's memoirs. Just remember the "clout-chasing" that took place back then; including "Jalal Jan," the then-representative, who didn't even once have the courage to say what the core issue was. Yet, he gained as many shows, likes, and followers as you can imagine, while the nation remained preoccupied with the ordeal. Alas.